Batsman cramped for style in painful loss

Old Thorntonians beat OSTERLEY 2000 by 60 runs BRAVE Sarvesh Shirsat had to be carried off with cramp after falling five runs short of a stunning century for Osterley 2000 on Saturday.

The star batsman could hardly move after cramp hit both legs as his side, chasing Old Thorntonians' 315, came up short on 255.

Captain Amar Rathore said: "If Sarvesh had not got cramp, I'm sure we would have won.

"We are a very young side, playing in a tough league, and our aim is just to survive so we can tackle it again next year with another year's experience under our belts." [25a0] SKIPPER Asad Rizvi called his team in for clear-the-air talks straight after Osterley's 148-run defeat to Southall Middlesex

Championship Division One.

Saturday's shock defeat, to a team Osterley had not lost to in six years, followed last week's losing draw in their derby with Indian Gymkhana.

Rizvi felt after four title wins in a row, complacency had crept into his side.

He said: "It was the second game in a row we had collapsed badly.

"It was our first defeat of the season and I hope it acted as a wake-up call.

"I called a players' meeting immediately after and we took a long, hard look at ourselves.

"I felt we had looked too relaxed after winning everything for the last few years, but now we are practising more and the guys can't wait to get out there and put it right.

"We have the perfect opportunity on Saturday against newly-promoted Glaxo before we take on title rivals.